Assistant Professor of Middle East and North African (MENA) Studies

Soka University of America

The International Studies Concentration at Soka University of America (SUA) invites applications for a full-time tenure-track faculty position as Assistant Professor of Middle East and North African Studies (MENA), effective August 1st, 2025.

The successful candidate will demonstrate their ability to excite and engage classes of 16 or fewer students, to develop a productive program of research and scholarship, and to engage in service.

Responsibilities:
We seek a broadly trained expert in the MENA region who is capable of teaching students from multiple disciplinary, ideological and national perspectives. The successful candidate will be expected to develop a rotation of lower and upper-division courses in consultation with the Concentration and is expected to teach a course on Peace and Conflict in the Middle East. As part of a five-course annual teaching load, the successful applicant will normally teach three courses in the International Studies Concentration as well as two courses in our interdisciplinary general education program, for example, Core 1, Core 2, Modes of Inquiry, Pacific Basin, American Experience, and/or Learning Cluster (see our Undergraduate Catalog.)

The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong background in teaching and scholarship as well as evidence of ongoing research activity. The successful candidate should describe a plan to maintain an active research program involving undergraduates. SUA provides resources to support faculty research year-round with undergraduates through institutional research funds and student research assistantships. All SUA graduates complete a Capstone (senior thesis), and successful applicants will demonstrate their ability to mentor student Capstones.

Qualifications:
Applicants will hold or be near completing a PhD in peace studies, political science, economics, sociology, anthropology, cultural studies, history, or another scholarly field with an emphasis on the peoples and countries of the Middle East and North Africa.

Candidates should demonstrate responsiveness toward and understanding of diverse student backgrounds, especially regarding socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, culture, ability/disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to the university’s mission to develop global citizens. Having the ability and willingness to work collegially is essential, as is an understanding of an interdisciplinary liberal arts curriculum.

Soka University of America:
Soka University of America (SUA), located in Aliso Viejo, California, is a private liberal arts college founded on the principles of peace, human rights, and the sanctity of life. It offers a unique and globally focused education with a commitment to fostering a learning environment that emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and intercultural understanding. SUA's small student body, approximately 450 undergraduates, ensures personalized attention and a close-knit academic community. The university's curriculum is rooted in the liberal arts tradition and incorporates a strong international perspective, requiring students to study abroad for a semester. Faculty members at SUA have the opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary teaching and research, supported by state-of-the-art facilities and a strong commitment to faculty development and academic freedom. The campus is known for its beautiful architecture, serene environment, and a culture that values dialogue, diversity, and the holistic development of its students.

Application Instructions:
Applicants should submit the following materials: (1) Letter of application addressing the required qualifications; (2) A Curriculum vitae; (3) A teaching statement that describes their teaching experience in relevant courses, specifically a philosophy that should reflect how the candidate would address teaching needs in a liberal arts environment and address diverse identities and viewpoints (maximum two pages, single-spaced;) (4) Statement of research interests and plan, detailing how undergraduate students will be involved (maximum two pages, single-spaced;) and (5) three letters of reference, uploaded directly via Interfolio.

We welcome all candidates and encourage those from historically disadvantaged communities.

Review of applications will begin on 15 November and will continue until the position is filled.

Employment is contingent on the completion of a successful background check.

Benefits and Salary:
SUA offers an excellent benefits package for full-time faculty that includes medical, dental, vision, retirement, dependent tuition remission, and faculty home loans. The salary range for this position is $87,000 - $97,000 and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Please apply by submitting your application through Interfolio using this link:
http://apply.interfolio.com/148730
Email: facultyrecruiting@soka.edu
Soka University of America is an equal-opportunity employer.